Biodiversity

WILDLIFE PRESERVATION

Whiting understands that being a responsible operator is more involved than just reducing air emissions or preventing spills. Whiting has created an informational program on the endangered and threatened species in the areas where we operate. These guide books communicate the importance of being aware of the flora and fauna in the areas in which we operate and their inter-relationship with the natural world and the web of life. These informational booklets, complete with identification pictures, are distributed on an annual basis to personnel, contractors and field offices to help those working at Whiting locations identify threatened or endangered species. Colorado Wildlife and North Dakota Wildlife brochures can be found below. Guidance on how to avoid sensitive areas is also vital to ensuring Whiting’s disturbance is minimal to the wildlife around our operations.

The Colorado Endangered & Threatened Species Protection Guide identifies both state specific listed and federally listed species. The brochure lists how to avoid species conflicts and offers suggestions to Whiting employees, contractors and the public on what they can do to protect the wildlife and environment in which we operate. Species of interest in areas where Whiting operations are present includes the Plains Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Piping Plover and the Black-Footed Ferret.

The North Dakota Endangered & Threatened Species Protection Guide identifies federally listed species which by default are incorporated by the state of North Dakota to be included at the state level; North Dakota does not have a state-specific listing of T&E species. The brochure lists how to avoid species conflicts and offers suggestions to Whiting employees, contractors and the public on what they can do to protect the wildlife and environment in which we operate. Species of interest in areas where Whiting operations are present includes the Dakota Skipper, Sprague’s Pipit and the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid.

Pursuing opportunities to improve habitat above and beyond required mitigation measures takes advantage of opportunities that benefit biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity programs in which Whiting has participated in both Colorado and North Dakota include:

Grasslands Live!

In 2017, Whiting collaborated with various US, Mexican and Canadian agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGO) with a live distance-learning webcast from the Pawnee National Grasslands in northeast Colorado. The webcast focused on the biodiversity of a short-grass prairie and the birds and animals that depend on grassland habitat and the connection between grasslands in the US, Mexico and Canada for avian species that migrate yearly through all three countries.

Prewitt Reservoir Wetlands Improvement

In 2017 and 2018, Whiting collaborated with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited and Colorado Open Lands to design and install irrigation control devices that manage surface water flow from irrigation canals to wetlands. The control devices allow the Prewitt Ranch to seasonally raise and lower water levels between seven interconnected wetlands to expand to 14 acres. The changing of the water levels allows for cattails control and flooding of existing grasslands. This creates varying water depths for dabbling and diving waterfowl to best suit their feeding habits. The project was completed in February 2018 and was quickly discovered by waterfowl and shorebirds for their northwards, spring migration.

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies summer camp

In 2018, Whiting assisted the Bird Conservancy summer field camp students by providing binoculars, day packs, tee-shirts and birdfeeders. The summer camps are designed for children between the ages of 5 and 17. All camp sessions are intended to bring children outdoors and the content and activities are designed in a progression to build scientific processes in nature observation and to gain insights into their relationships with themselves and the world around them.

Planting for the Future in North Dakota

In May of 2018, Whiting Petroleum teamed with the North Dakota Petroleum Council in the Planting for the Future program. Through the project, Whiting planted 7,000 trees and shrubs throughout the oil producing counties of the state. The program is a partnership between the Outdoor Heritage Fund, Whiting Petroleum and ONEOK. Many of the trees are being planted to satisfy a requirement of the Public Service Commission, which requires the petroleum industry to replace two trees for every one tree removed during pipeline construction. Whiting did the project voluntarily to help offset out carbon footprint. The Petroleum Council is accepting applications from landowners who are interested in participating in in this program for 2019.

In 2017 and 2018, Whiting collaborated with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited and Colorado Open Lands to design and install irrigation control devices that manage surface water flow from irrigation canals to wetlands. The control devices allow the Prewitt Ranch to seasonally raise and lower water levels between seven interconnected wetlands to expand to 14 acres. The changing of the water levels allows for cattails control and flooding of existing grasslands. This creates varying water depths for dabbling and diving waterfowl to best suit their feeding habits. The project was completed in February 2018 and was quickly discovered by waterfowl and shorebirds for their northwards, spring migration.